This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.
  1. Air
  2. Cleanable environment

Cleanable environment

Features>Air>28. Cleanable environment

28. Cleanable environment

Intent: 

To reduce occupant exposure to pathogens on high-touch surfaces.

Surfaces exposed to frequent human touch can harbor microbes and toxins for extended periods of time. However, these surfaces can be kept sanitary if they are designed with suitable materials that facilitate easy cleaning. This reduces the need for cleaning products that contain potentially toxic chemicals and may also reduce the frequency of cleaning.

Part 1: Material Properties

High-touch and non-porous surfaces (refer to Table A1 in Appendix C) meet the following requirements:

a. Smooth and free of defects visible to the unaided eye.
b. Finished to maintain smooth welds and joints.
c. Free of crevices and other hard-to-reach places.
Part 2: Cleanability

The following requirements are met:

a.30 No permanent wall-to-wall carpeting is used; only removable rugs, removable carpet tiles or hard surfaces are allowed.
b. The building provides adequate flexible storage space for all permanent, movable items to allow high-touch surfaces to be completely cleared during cleaning.
c. Right angles between walls and windows/floors are sealed.
Part 3: Cleanable Locker Rooms

The following types of storage facilities must be in place in any locker rooms present:

a.132 All lockers are open grid- or mesh-style.
b. All shelves are open grid- or slat-style.
Urinary
Digestive
Immune
Reproductive
Integumentary
Endocrine

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Material Properties - O O
Part 2: Cleanability - O O
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Material Properties P O O P O
Part 2: Cleanability P O O P O
Part 3: Cleanable Locker Rooms - O - - -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Material Properties Architect & Contractor Spot Check
Part 2: Cleanability Architect & Contractor Spot Check
Part 3: Cleanable Locker Rooms Visual Inspection

30

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lead Paint Safety. http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/training/LBPguide.pdf. Washington, D.C. Published March 2001. Accessed October 17, 2014.
28.2.a

The U.S. HUD's Lead Paint Safety document recommends rugs to be removable and permanent wall-to-wall carpeting not to be used.
132

Wenger Corporation. Planning your athletic facility. http://www.wengercorp.com/Construct/docs/Athletic%20Planning%20Guide%20b.... Published 2011. Accessed March 25, 2015.
28.3.a

The guide suggests that open, grid-style lockers promote air flow.
Features>Air>28. Cleanable environment